Ben Simmons agrees to 1-year, $3.5M deal with Kings

Field Level Media|published: Fri 4th September, 10:17 2026

Apr 5, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Ben Simmons (25) looks on during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

Former No. 1 overall draft pick Ben Simmons agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Sacramento Kings, his agents confirmed to ESPN on Friday.

The three-time All-Star point guard returns after sitting out the 2025-26 campaign while recuperating from chronic back issues.

Simmons, 30, last played with the Los Angeles Clippers for 18 games in March and April in 2025.

Reports last month indicated that Simmons was healthy, practicing without restrictions and eyeing an NBA comeback. He also is looking to compete for Team Australia at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Drafted No. 1 by Philadelphia in 2016 out of LSU, Simmons made his injury-delayed NBA debut a year later and won 2017-18 Rookie of the Year honors. He was a two-time All-Defensive pick before more injuries derailed his career. He has not played more than 58 games in a season since 2018-19.

Simmons has averaged 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.5 steals in 383 career games (344 starts) with the 76ers (2017-21), Brooklyn Nets (2022-25) and Clippers.

The Kings open the NBA preseason on Oct. 5 against the visiting Los Angeles Lakers. Sacramento visits the Los Angeles Clippers for the regular-season opener on Oct. 21.

--Field Level Media

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